“I am struggling with the reality of what my body is telling me versus what my mind and heart believe I’m capable of. The unfortunate reality is my mind and body are not on the same page,” Lindsey Vonn, the ski legend with a record 97 World Cup wins, expressed during her retirement. Let’s rewind to 2019—when Vonn, after battling a string of tough injuries, officially decided to hang up her skis. It was a bittersweet farewell as she acknowledged the toll these injuries had taken on her, pushing her to step away from the slopes she had ruled for so long.

Now, with the FIS World Cup just around the corner, rumors are flying that Lindsey Vonn might be making a comeback. The buzz has got everyone talking, including her fellow champion, Mikaela Shiffrin, who’s leading the pack with 97 World Cup victories, surpassing Lindsey Vonn’s record of 82 wins, and is among those intrigued by this rumored return. But Vonn has shared a big update before diving into any comeback speculation.

On October 13, Lindsey Vonn took to Instagram, sharing a beautiful snapshot of herself standing proudly by the clear waters of Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, with her hands lifted high in the air. In her caption, she opened up about her journey, calling each day “a victory” and expressing how proud she feels of how far she’s come, despite the highs and lows along the way.

She credited her late mother for instilling a resilient spirit, one that remains unbroken no matter the challenges she faces. Embracing this fresh start, Vonn spoke of her “new chapter” with a sense of excitement, noting how her new knee now feels like “a part of me” as she steps forward. Her adventurous soul, full of gratitude, is eager for what lies ahead.

While she’s unsure of the specifics, she’s certain of one thing: she’s “healthy, happy, and grateful” for the opportunity to chase the things she loves. For Vonn, life’s journey is a blessing she doesn’t take for granted, and she’s ready to welcome whatever comes next.

Lindsey Vonn made a comeback to the New Zealand slopes and even took to Instagram to share a video of her skiing and flaunting her physical transformation. After years of injuries and a knee replacement earlier this year, she’s going “back to basics,” sparking buzz and leaving her rivals stunned.

Lindsey Vonn’s comeback rumors leave Alpine Skiing Pros shook

With all the buzz about Lindsey Vonn’s potential comeback, the skiing world is abuzz, including stars like Mikaela Shiffrin and Sofia Goggia, who’ve shared their thoughts. If Vonn makes her return this season, she’ll face off against five-time world champion Mikaela Shiffrin. Shiffrin, however, seems excited and supportive. At a recent Atomic Media Day event, she commented, “I only heard about this really recently, so I don’t actually have too much to say.”

Shiffrin reached 82 victories at 27 years and 302 days old after 233 races, while Vonn secured her final win at 33 years and 147 days old in 395 starts before retiring in 2019, having competed against Shiffrin since her World Cup debut in 2011. Even with limited info, Shiffrin wished her well, adding with a smile, “I would just say good luck, I mean, I wish her the best.”

She expressed genuine interest in how the season will unfold, especially with Vonn possibly returning alongside Marcel Hirscher. For Shiffrin, Vonn’s comeback could signal that she’s overcome her injuries and is feeling strong again.

Sofia Goggia, whom Vonn has previously referred to as “a mentor” and close friend, also chimed in, saying the news took her by surprise. She called it a “surprising situation” but acknowledged that Vonn’s being back on skis means she’s healthy and ready to compete. She shared, “I say that who will live, will see,” further adding buzz to the rumor. With fans and competitors eagerly awaiting Vonn’s next move, everyone is curious to see what comes next.